PyroNugget

i had this idea awhile ago too i went with brute kinetic melee/energy aura brute,as it powers up gets faster kinetic melee for the NASCAR sounds energy aura for a powered engine effect --still waiting for kinetic melee to get an update............

i,also,have rampant altitis for corrupter/defender if i don't have a plan going in i look at how busy the sets are. elec affinity is super busy--therefore not going to blast as much=defender get as much out of it as i can force field is usually the opposite-2 clicks every few minutes the rest of the time i'm blasting--bring on the scourge! you also mentioned you played melee--what, as a melee ,did you enjoy teaming with the most?...play that! everyone loves a KIN on a team at every lvl. of the power sets you mentioned i enjoy my elec/elec aff defender and my ice/kin corrupter the most..i avoid energy blast as a public service 😜

i use an older version of MIDS but this is one of my favorite brute builds ,you can really lean maxing out resists and dmg! brute heaven. use it for another pair of eyes on what sets can do. has 90% to s/l/f/c and psi without any incarnate(but lvl 50) This Hero build was built using Mids Reborn 3.1.2.5 https://github.com/LoadedCamel/MidsReborn Click this DataLink to open the build! brute war mace elec: Level 50 Science Brute Primary Power Set: War Mace Secondary Power Set: Electric Armor Power Pool: Leaping Power Pool: Fighting Power Pool: Speed Power Pool: Leadership Ancillary Pool: Mu Mastery Hero Profile: Level 1: Pulverize -- SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg(A), SprUnrFur-Dmg/Rchg(5), SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(7), SprUnrFur-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(7), SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(9), SprUnrFur-Rchg/+Regen/+End(9) Level 1: Charged Armor -- UnbGrd-Max HP%(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(11), UnbGrd-ResDam(11), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(13) Level 2: Lightning Field -- SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBrtFur-Rech/Fury%(15), SprBrtFur-Dmg/Rchg(19), SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(19), SprBrtFur-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(21), SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(21) Level 4: Conductive Shield -- TtnCtn-ResDam(A), TtnCtn-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(15), TtnCtn-ResDam/EndRdx(23), TtnCtn-ResDam/Rchg(23), ImpArm-ResPsi(25) Level 6: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(13), Ksm-ToHit+(31) Level 8: Clobber -- Hct-Dmg(A), Hct-Dmg/Rchg(25), Hct-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(27), Hct-Acc/Rchg(27), Hct-Dmg/EndRdx(29), Hct-Dam%(29) Level 10: Static Shield -- Ags-Psi/Status(A), Ags-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(17), Ags-ResDam/EndRdx(17), Ags-ResDam(31), ImpArm-ResPsi(31) Level 12: Kick -- Empty(A) Level 14: Tough -- TtnCtn-ResDam(A), TtnCtn-ResDam/EndRdx(34), TtnCtn-ResDam/Rchg(36), TtnCtn-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(36) Level 16: Grounded -- StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A) Level 18: Whirling Mace -- SprAvl-Acc/Dmg(A), SprAvl-Dmg/EndRdx(33), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(33), SprAvl-Rchg/KDProc(33), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(34), Erd-%Dam(34) Level 20: Lightning Reflexes -- Run-I(A) Level 22: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), Rct-Def(36), Rct-Def/EndRdx(37), Rct-ResDam%(37) Level 24: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(43) Level 26: Shatter -- FuroftheG-Acc/Dmg/End/Rech(A), FuroftheG-ResDeb%(37), ScrDrv-Acc/Dmg(39), ScrDrv-Dmg/EndRdx(39), ScrDrv-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(39), ScrDrv-Dam%(40) Level 28: Energize -- Prv-Heal(A), Prv-Heal/EndRdx(40), Prv-EndRdx/Rchg(40), Prv-Heal/Rchg(42), Prv-Heal/Rchg/EndRdx(42), Prv-Absorb%(42) Level 30: Super Jump -- WntGif-ResSlow(A), WntGif-RunSpd/Jump/Fly/Rng(46) Level 32: Crowd Control -- Arm-Dmg(A), Arm-Dmg/Rchg(43), Arm-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(43), Arm-Acc/Rchg(45), Arm-Dmg/EndRdx(45), Arm-Dam%(45) Level 35: Power Sink -- PrfShf-EndMod/Rchg(A) Level 38: Mu Lightning -- SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg(A), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(46), SprWntBit-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(46), Apc-Dam%(50) Level 41: Ball Lightning -- Rgn-Dmg(A), Rgn-Dmg/Rchg(48), Rgn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(48), Rgn-Acc/Rchg(48), Rgn-Dmg/EndRdx(50), Rgn-Knock%(50) Level 44: Build Up -- GssSynFr--Build%(A) Level 47: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A) Level 49: Power Surge -- ImpArm-ResPsi(A) Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A) Level 1: Fury Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A) Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A) Level 1: Swift -- Flight-I(A) Level 1: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(3), Mrc-Rcvry+(3) Level 1: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A) Level 1: Stamina -- PrfShf-EndMod(A), PrfShf-End%(5) Level 44: Double Jump ------------

alts to me are like gravity. as i get levels and tiers of incarnates, they lose mass and have less of a pull on me so that brand new,"awesome combo i can't believe i never played before" suddenly becomes like a blackhole and i can't escape playing it. on the other end a level 50 with all tier 4s is like a cold,dead asteroid spinning in space at that point to me.

before i start --i have 2 lvl 50 MM with group fly ( bots/FF and mercs/TA) i built them for it the onus to use group fly on a team is on YOU. it is very disruptive to how others play you join someone else's team and they ask to turn it off , you turn it off.just like going to someone's house and they say "no shoes inside"--do you argue with them?debate your side of how uncomfortable it is to do that?.NO.. you take your shoes off. if you are dead set on using it--then YOU FORM THE TEAM and announce that you will be using it, maybe even tell people to hit Null prior. now as team lead/group forming person,you can then kick anyone who complains about it--as it was in the bark announcement and it's your team. they are not "imposing on your play style" they are asking you to turn off 1 power and play on a TEAM.

the Knight Errant badge is for stopping the paladin from being built--once he is built he is just a GM to take down for merits look for "unusual clockwork activity detected in Kings row" in chat--its in purple text-- like when all other GM spawn in zones go to Kings Row and find the clockwork construction site--use $loc to announce the position--forma team and badaboom

how has no one said SHIELD yet? top tier armor set,no funky auras or graphics and the stone shield can be matched to the skin color of your toon(or since you said the THING from FF4--their is a man hole cover shield)

Invul brutes are not cheap if your going for "be all you can be"--i love em--have 3 at 50 (Dm/inv,RAD/inv, and SAV/inv) havent done STJ yet it will kill your blue bar--so get those END proc as soon as you can (panacea,miracle and numinas--also performance shifter END and the proc) next get the 2 +# DEF unique (steadfast and gladiators) and have a plan to get the 2 RES ones in (shield wall and reactive defenses) if you aren't going to run focused acc from energy epic i would also add in a KISMET +acc too. INVUL brutes need SLOTS to get good and that takes lvls--try to get above 75% smash/lethal RESIST quickly then transition to building DEF (slot invincibility ASAP then tough hide and weave) then back to building resists---the whole time keeping your damage up! it ain't easy being mean! i use and older version of MIDS but heres a build to give ideas This Hero build was built using Mids Reborn 3.1.2.5 https://github.com/LoadedCamel/MidsReborn Click this DataLink to open the build! brute STJ INVUL: Level 50 Science Brute Primary Power Set: Street Justice Secondary Power Set: Invulnerability Power Pool: Leaping Power Pool: Fighting Power Pool: Speed Power Pool: Leadership Ancillary Pool: Energy Mastery Hero Profile: Level 1: Heavy Blow -- SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(3), SprBrtFur-Rech/Fury%(5), SprBrtFur-Dmg/Rchg(7), SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(7), SprBrtFur-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(23) Level 1: Resist Physical Damage -- StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), GldArm-3defTpProc(31) Level 2: Sweeping Cross -- Erd-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(A), Erd-Dmg(9), Erd-%Dam(9), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg(11), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(11), SprAvl-Rchg/KDProc(13) Level 4: Temp Invulnerability -- UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(13), UnbGrd-ResDam(15), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(15) Level 6: Dull Pain -- Prv-Heal/Rchg/EndRdx(A), Prv-Heal/Rchg(17), Prv-Heal(17) Level 8: Rib Cracker -- SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx(19), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(19), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(21), SprBlsCol-Rchg/HoldProc(21), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(48) Level 10: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A) Level 12: Kick -- Acc-I(A) Level 14: Tough -- UnbGrd-Max HP%(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(27), UnbGrd-ResDam(27), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(29) Level 16: Unyielding -- RctArm-ResDam(A), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(25), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx(29) Level 18: Spinning Strike -- Artl-Acc/Dam(A), Artl-Dam/End(31), Artl-Acc/Dam/Rech(33), PstBls-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(33), PstBls-Dam%(33), Bmbdmt-+FireDmg(34) Level 20: Resist Energies -- Ags-ResDam(A), Ags-Psi/Status(31), Ags-ResDam/EndRdx(34), Ags-ResDam/Rchg(34) Level 22: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), Rct-ResDam%(36), Rct-Def(36), Rct-Def/EndRdx(37) Level 24: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(25) Level 26: Shin Breaker -- TchofDth-Acc/Dmg(A), TchofDth-Dmg/EndRdx(37), TchofDth-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(39), TchofDth-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(39), TchofDth-Dam%(39), AchHee-ResDeb%(40) Level 28: Invincibility -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), ShlWal-Def(40), ShlWal-Def/EndRdx(40), ShlWal-Def/Rchg(42), ShlWal-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(42) Level 30: Combat Readiness -- GssSynFr--Build%(A) Level 32: Crushing Uppercut -- Hct-Dmg(A), Hct-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(37), Hct-Acc/Rchg(42), Hct-Dmg/EndRdx(43), Hct-Dam%(43), UnbCns-Dam%(43) Level 35: Tough Hide -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), ShlWal-Def/Rchg(36), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(45), ShlWal-Def(45), ShlWal-Def/EndRdx(46) Level 38: Resist Elements -- RctArm-ResDam(A), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx(46), RctArm-ResDam/Rchg(46) Level 41: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(45) Level 44: Focused Accuracy -- HO:Cyto(A) Level 47: Laser Beam Eyes -- SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg(A), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(48), SprWntBit-Dmg/Rchg(48), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(50), SprWntBit-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(50), SprWntBit-Rchg/SlowProc(50) Level 49: Physical Perfection -- PrfShf-EndMod(A) Level 1: Fury Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A) Level 1: Sprint -- EndRdx-I(A) Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A) Level 1: Swift -- Flight-I(A) Level 1: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A) Level 1: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A), Mrc-Rcvry+(3), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(23) Level 1: Stamina -- PrfShf-EndMod(A), PrfShf-End%(5) Level 1: Combo Level 1 Level 1: Combo Level 2 Level 1: Combo Level 3 Level 50: Agility Core Paragon Level 50: Freedom Phalanx Reserve Level 50: Portal Jockey Level 50: Task Force Commander Level 50: The Atlas Medallion ------------

agree,in the regen tanker section BIO is the winner as both WP and BIO suffer from crippling lack of DDR,BIO pulls ahead based on ablative carapace alone(the absorb every 30 sec or so) and can pull off better regen numbers when really surrounded. i have a 50 WP tank with every bell and whistle i could shove onto him. having no click heal or absorb really hurts(incarnates to the rescue) if you really want a crazy regen--go staff/regen brute 3.2k HP 90% s/l resist in combat and 45% melee DEF--and you get to breakdance

besides the obvious--1 end 3x resist in your armors, take TOUGH from the fighting pool and do the same--goal is to try and get to 80%-90% ASAP in smash/lethal and ENG/NEG resist. assuming you've done that there is 1 trick i use on every toon that is struggling and this will help you more as it stacks with war mace(you have WH which is ?) STUN GRENADE from start vendor---stacks to 200 is cheap and greatly reduces incoming damage(recharges fast too)(STUN=/=DISORIENT so the magnitude stacks from mace) carry purples in your INSP tray but adding it is a fools errand --elec armor has no defense debuff protection here's my build-- i ignored DEF and got my resists to 90% (NEG is only 55% and we don't talk about toxic ;P)-lvl 50 numbers but no incarnates so do what you want with those This Hero build was built using Mids Reborn 3.1.2.5 https://github.com/LoadedCamel/MidsReborn Click this DataLink to open the build! WOLFEN THUNDER 2: Level 50 Magic Brute Primary Power Set: War Mace Secondary Power Set: Electric Armor Power Pool: Leaping Power Pool: Speed Power Pool: Fighting Power Pool: Leadership Ancillary Pool: Mu Mastery Hero Profile: Level 1: Pulverize -- SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBrtFur-Dmg/Rchg(3), SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(3), SprBrtFur-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), SprBrtFur-Rech/Fury%(7) Level 1: Charged Armor -- ImpArm-ResPsi(A), UnbGrd-Max HP%(7), UnbGrd-ResDam(9), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(9), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(11), StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(21) Level 2: Jawbreaker -- SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg(A), SprUnrFur-Dmg/Rchg(11), SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(13), SprUnrFur-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(13), SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(15), SprUnrFur-Rchg/+Regen/+End(15) Level 4: Lightning Field -- SprAvl-Dmg/EndRdx(A), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(17), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(17), Erd-%Dam(19), FuroftheG-ResDeb%(19), FuroftheG-Acc/Dmg/End/Rech(48) Level 6: Conductive Shield -- TtnCtn-ResDam(A), TtnCtn-ResDam/EndRdx(21), TtnCtn-ResDam/Rchg(23), TtnCtn-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(23), ImpArm-ResPsi(48) Level 8: Clobber -- Hct-Dmg(A), Hct-Dmg/Rchg(25), Hct-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(25), Hct-Acc/Rchg(27), Hct-Dmg/EndRdx(27), Hct-Dam%(29) Level 10: Static Shield -- TtnCtn-ResDam(A), TtnCtn-ResDam/EndRdx(29), TtnCtn-ResDam/Rchg(31), TtnCtn-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(48) Level 12: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(31), Ksm-ToHit+(31), Rct-ResDam%(33) Level 14: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(34) Level 16: Grounded -- ImpArm-ResPsi(A) Level 18: Whirling Mace -- SprAvl-Rchg/KDProc(A), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(34), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg(34), ScrDrv-Dmg/EndRdx(36), ScrDrv-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(36), ScrDrv-Dam%(36) Level 20: Lightning Reflexes -- Flight-I(A) Level 22: Kick -- Empty(A) Level 24: Tough -- Ags-Psi/Status(A), Ags-ResDam(37), Ags-ResDam/EndRdx(37), Ags-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(37) Level 26: Shatter -- Arm-Dmg(A), Arm-Dmg/Rchg(39), Arm-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), Arm-Acc/Rchg(39), Arm-Dmg/EndRdx(40), Arm-Dam%(40) Level 28: Energize -- Prv-Heal(A), Prv-Heal/EndRdx(40), Prv-Heal/Rchg/EndRdx(42), Prv-Heal/Rchg(42), Prv-Absorb%(45), Prv-EndRdx/Rchg(50) Level 30: Build Up -- GssSynFr--Build%(A) Level 32: Crowd Control -- Mlt-Acc/Dmg(A), Mlt-Dmg/EndRdx(43), Mlt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(43), Mlt-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(43), PrfZng-Dam%(45), Erd-%Dam(45) Level 35: Power Sink -- EffAdp-EndMod/Rchg(A) Level 38: Super Jump -- WntGif-ResSlow(A), WntGif-RunSpd/Jump/Fly/Rng(46) Level 41: Mu Lightning -- Apc-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(A), Apc-Dmg/EndRdx(46), Apc-Dam%(46), Thn-Acc/Dmg(50) Level 44: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A) Level 47: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A) Level 49: Power Surge -- ImpArm-ResPsi(A) Level 1: Fury Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A) Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A) Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A) Level 1: Swift -- Run-I(A) Level 1: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A) Level 1: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(33), Mrc-Rcvry+(42) Level 1: Stamina -- PrfShf-EndMod(A), PrfShf-End%(33), PrfShf-EndMod/Rchg(50) Level 38: Double Jump ------------

thought the "staff/Titan" thing was in reference to other builds/tricks as you cant have a staff/titan those are both primaries -and those both have a +melee smash(titan) or leathal(staff) attack his DEF should be over 20% without slotting anything. ..or did i read/interpret that wrong?

whole lot of info --but nobody is answering his question answer is your not stacking DEF--set armor alone isn't going to cut it--you need BOTH +DEF uniques gladiators and steadfast,WEAVE and combat jumping. i made a quick MIDS for a lvl 25 (used ice/ice you never posted your primary) and i'm at 40% smash/leathal and 37% eng/neg.this is WITHOUT start vendor or DFB/DIB temp buffs! this is with SOs and 1 4 pc kinetic combat and just 3 pc orange brutes fury. if your poor you can use KINETIC COMBAT in 2 powers instead of breaking the ATO set into 2/3 pc sets. for another 3% eng/neg just find another melee AoE and slap in another 3 pc eradication. Energy Absorb isn't working for you because its a trap...you can GET higher DEF only when you wade knee deep into a spawn THEN pop it--your already hamburger by then. name of the game is 45% DEF get there as fast as you can. fire,toxic,PSI are your holes--you can't fill them,at some point(again don't know your primary)--find an AoE knock or disorient or something do slow incoming dmg.( stun grenades from your old friend START vendor work like magic)--but ANY AoE knockdown with help so cost for just this at 25 is 4 pc kinetic combat,3 pc of brutes fury,1 steadfast+3 def,1 gladiators +3 def and 3 pc eradication ( the panacea and performance shifter help end recovery alot) This Villain build was built using Mids Reborn 3.1.2.5 https://github.com/LoadedCamel/MidsReborn Click this DataLink to open the build! Level 49 Magic Brute Primary Power Set: Ice Melee Secondary Power Set: Ice Armor Power Pool: Leaping Power Pool: Fighting Villain Profile: Level 1: Ice Sword -- KntCmb-Acc/Dmg(A), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx(3), KntCmb-Dmg/Rchg(3), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(15), Acc(15) Level 1: Frozen Armor -- EndRdx(A), DefBuff(5), DefBuff(5), DefBuff(7) Level 2: Frost -- BrtFur-Acc/Dmg(A), BrtFur-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(11), BrtFur-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(11), Range(13), Dmg(13) Level 4: Chilling Embrace -- EndRdx-I(A) Level 6: Hoarfrost -- RechRdx(A), Heal(7) Level 8: Ice Patch -- RechRdx-I(A) Level 10: Wet Ice -- EndRdx-I(A) Level 12: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A) Level 14: Boxing -- Empty(A) Level 16: Glacial Armor -- EndRdx(A), DefBuff(17), DefBuff(17), DefBuff(19) Level 18: Tough -- StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), GldArm-3defTpProc(19) Level 20: Energy Absorption -- DefBuff(A), RechRdx(21), EndMod(21) Level 22: Cross Punch -- Erd-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(A), Erd-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(23), Erd-%Dam(23) Level 24: Weave -- EndRdx(A), DefBuff(25), DefBuff(25) Level 26: [Empty] Level 28: [Empty] Level 30: [Empty] Level 32: [Empty] Level 35: [Empty] Level 38: [Empty] Level 41: [Empty] Level 44: [Empty] Level 47: [Empty] Level 49: [Empty] Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A) Level 1: Fury Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A) Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A) Level 1: Swift -- Empty(A) Level 1: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A), Mrc-Rcvry+(9) Level 1: Hurdle -- Empty(A) Level 1: Stamina -- PrfShf-EndMod(A), PrfShf-End%(9) ------------

i prefer this combo ona brute.ice patch slows down the incoming dmg enough that rad armor can handle it,brutes superior dmg handles the rest. Rad armor can be(with a fat wallet) made tanker tough (near 90% resists) on brutes. --tanks can go 2 routes then--more dmg or add DEF,and wait till incarnate ageless radial epiphany for ANY debuff resistance.--that's a long haul. i lean heavily on ice patch for my melee mitigation, make sure to add a +RANGE to FROST(i use set bonuses) and it becomes a monster of an attack. for my incarnate alpha i'm still waffling between cardiac radial(to shore up those resists and max out absorb) or spiritual core for more regen and that huge +recharge here's my build (i chose no swords for personal preference)also older MIDs https://www.midsreborn.com/builds/download.php?uc=1454&c=701&a=1402&f=HEX&dc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

i had to log in for this one. ice melee/RAD armor i make a lot of alts, some of them just*click*--this is one of those combos,it just GOES also ice/shield is great too but a firm 2nd place to ice/rad IMO

2 easy options as you are leveling are the SORCERY or FORCE of WILL from the power pools,(can only choose ONE) both have access to ranged"spells" and each has a version of protection with a pronounced graphic if you take 2 previous powers.all fitting the librarian from a space marine chapter and of course the above mentioned epic pool. Emperor Protects

i enjoy buffing and classes that do so far more than a simple* blaster.i have played a healer/buffer type since EverQuest days of yore.Hell,i even played one in pen and paper D&D in the early 80s, i just enjoy it more that straight DAMAGE! the Homecoming AoE one and done buff was like pure heaven to me,and now that i know the base game mechanics a little better i know what to pump and what is good as a 1 slot wonder. watching teams fly through content and say how easy it was knowing full well I was the one who made them at 45% DEF or better or better than +20% tohit--the off hand heal just because my other buffs are so good that panic healing isnt needed. and in between all that ,toss out some attacks(which more than likely will DEBUFF the target) i just enjoy the buffing playstyle --DEBUFFING also works in a wicked satisfying way

60k merits?!? i have over 200 alts..ALL funded. but i used my merits to craft those billions my GOD! what i could do with 60k merits/drool 180k convertors...i would be Scrooge McDucking in that pond!(napkin math of around 45-50 billion before crafting and AH fees) as to the OP...i learned how to make money to be free to make as many ALTs as i want, with no restrictions. I rarely have too much on hand as i keep making more toys!(say 2billion +/-) i have cut wayyyy back on buying convertors in the past year-- 65k each at 10,000 a stack is 650 million overhead i just don't feel like paying anymore.

DARK/SAVAGE tank if you want more battlefield control. savage leap is all the ranged you need(teleport slam attack) EA/CLAWS scrapper if you just want run amok.mid ranged in attack chain and lvl 35 epic you get a snipe! both have stealth built in,MEZ protection is good(dark needs KB slotted ) team utility leans tank...because TANK!....but damage is king so scrapper(less responsibility) note: i don't have an endgame stalker so that might be an option.

my brain went straight to "Let's play BURNING MAN with EOCHAI " during a Halloween event.

seeing ALOT of answers--and i agree with most of them,but i don't see anyone explaining WHY said this/that is going to do what you asked so here goes mine. 1 BIO/MACE or BIO/AXE tank BIO is simply THE best when you have no money and have forgotten"oh yeah! this needs some________ to work" RUN in efficient mode and you don't have to worry about that END bar--- it heals good(REGEN) all by itself(is actually a hybrid smash/lethal RESIST/fire/cold/eng/neg DEF set) and is all around GREAT without heavy investment.other perks are ablative armor shield and an ugly AoE dmg aura.Downside to Bio is the minimal FX only go so far.(recommend the FIGHTING POOL(boxing or kick,tough and weave...also combat jumping from leaping for more DEF stacking and mobility is always helpful) WAR MACE just makes you smile as you KRUNCH--bad day at work?..war mace makes smiles happen the new IMPROVED battle axe--pretty much the same as mace but with a new pony trick CYCLONE--pulls them all to you--very handy both are END hogs on their own but BIO handles it without breakin' a sweat. 2. MASTERMIND BOTS/TIME buffs/debuffs heals for all.can go along nicely with SOs (old school single origin enhancers like the old days) now BOTS/COLD is freakin awesome end game,little harder to lvl(lack of heal) BOTS/EA(elec affinity) is a personal fave and i didn't see it but if you are going to solo A LOT BOTS/TRAPS-- traps as a set across the board doesn't flow well with teams.but solo it is just fine and the buffs/debuffs are great. for the most part THUGS can be swapped for BOTs in any of those too. you mentioned ILL/RAD controller and yes--it was a beast and still is--but even on old live--you HAD TO SPEC a certain(expensive) way!-- phantom army must be perma! and that doesn't start till lvl 35 even if you're rich!--and now there are new candy flavors to that ILL/DARK ILL/TIME ILL/COLD they are all monsters--but they require a lot of money to work as soloing giant monster champs. number 1 and 2 will get you from 1 to 50 on just SOs and you wont feel weak,or a burden ,or like you're not up to snuff.--teams,especially LOW LEVEL teams love tanks--and area heals like TIME has.

such an awesome concept and yet so hard to realize in game with the current powers 😞 both STONE and ICE armor sets have a SLOW aura but the graphic don't play well with the concept. then you have the new axe to pull in but again what does an axe have to do with a black hole? rad melee has a few attacks that could work well if recolored(bright colors like a black hole ejecting plasma) maybe quicksand recolored from the earth epic pool?

heres a build-- i had i main objective building it --get 90% resists on most before incarnates the epic pool is swappable as long as you have a single target ranged and AoE ranged--same IOs and yes i still use the old MIDs(cant get the new one to work) This Hero build was built using Mids Reborn 3.1.2.5 https://github.com/LoadedCamel/MidsReborn Click this DataLink to open the build! brute SS elec: Level 50 Magic Brute Primary Power Set: Super Strength Secondary Power Set: Electric Armor Power Pool: Leaping Power Pool: Fighting Power Pool: Speed Power Pool: Leadership Ancillary Pool: Soul Mastery Hero Profile: Level 1: Punch -- SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBrtFur-Dmg/Rchg(3), SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(3), SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(37), SprBrtFur-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(46), SprBrtFur-Rech/Fury%(50) Level 1: Charged Armor -- UnbGrd-Max HP%(A), UnbGrd-ResDam(5), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(5), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(7), UnbGrd-EndRdx/Rchg(45), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(46) Level 2: Haymaker -- SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg(A), SprUnrFur-Dmg/Rchg(9), SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(9), SprUnrFur-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(11), SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(11), SprUnrFur-Rchg/+Regen/+End(13) Level 4: Lightning Field -- SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(A), SprAvl-Dmg/EndRdx(13), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(15), FuroftheG-ResDeb%(15), FuroftheG-Acc/Dmg/End/Rech(17), Erd-%Dam(17) Level 6: Conductive Shield -- TtnCtn-ResDam(A), TtnCtn-ResDam/EndRdx(19), TtnCtn-ResDam/Rchg(19), TtnCtn-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(21), ImpArm-ResPsi(48) Level 8: Knockout Blow -- Hct-Dmg(A), Hct-Dmg/Rchg(21), Hct-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(23), Hct-Acc/Rchg(23), Hct-Dmg/EndRdx(25), Hct-Dam%(25) Level 10: Static Shield -- Ags-Psi/Status(A), Ags-ResDam(27), Ags-ResDam/EndRdx(27), Ags-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(29), ImpArm-ResPsi(48) Level 12: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), Ksm-ToHit+(29), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(34), Rct-ResDam%(34) Level 14: Kick -- Empty(A) Level 16: Grounded -- StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), ImpArm-ResPsi(48) Level 18: Tough -- TtnCtn-ResDam/EndRdx(A), TtnCtn-ResDam(31), TtnCtn-ResDam/Rchg(31), TtnCtn-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(33) Level 20: Lightning Reflexes -- Run-I(A) Level 22: Rage -- GssSynFr--Build%(A), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg(33), GssSynFr--Rchg/EndRdx(33) Level 24: Super Jump -- WntGif-ResSlow(A), WntGif-RunSpd/Jump/Fly/Rng(50) Level 26: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(31) Level 28: Energize -- NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(A), NmnCnv-Heal(36), NmnCnv-EndRdx/Rchg(36), NmnCnv-Heal/Rchg(36), NmnCnv-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(37) Level 30: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A) Level 32: Foot Stomp -- Arm-Dmg(A), Arm-Dmg/Rchg(37), Arm-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), Arm-Acc/Rchg(39), Arm-Dmg/EndRdx(39), Arm-Dam%(40) Level 35: Power Sink -- PrfShf-EndMod/Rchg(A) Level 38: Gloom -- Apc-Dmg(A), Apc-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(40), Apc-Acc/Rchg(40), Apc-Dmg/EndRdx(42), Apc-Dam%(42), CldSns-%Dam(42) Level 41: Dark Obliteration -- SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg(A), SprFrzBls-Dmg/EndRdx(43), SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(43), Bmbdmt-+FireDmg(43), PstBls-Dam%(45), CldSns-%Dam(45) Level 44: Darkest Night -- DarWtcDsp-ToHitDeb/EndRdx(A), DarWtcDsp-ToHitdeb/Rchg/EndRdx(50) Level 47: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A) Level 49: Power Surge -- ImpArm-ResPsi(A) Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A) Level 1: Fury Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A) Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A) Level 1: Swift -- Run-I(A) Level 1: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A), Mrc-Rcvry+(46) Level 1: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A) Level 1: Stamina -- PrfShf-EndMod(A), PrfShf-End%(7), PrfShf-EndMod/Rchg(34) Level 30: Double Jump Level 50: Spiritual Radial Paragon ------------

based on the tone of your OP "slow,at my own slow pace,solo" gotta say tank is for you recommend a dual damage aura like bio or ice armors with spines or rad for secondary -- i prefer bio with adaptive carapace on auto when i AFK or the tried and true fire/ice melee for GMs currently just use envenomed daggers from the P2W vendor to overcome the GMs regen * another note on BIO armor is the use of EFFICIENT armor mode-- lets you run a new tank without having the cash for the uniques mentioned above --you just switch to offensive later when you have them in place. ** another new tank trick is to run at MINUS 1/8 on missions -- large amounts of easier to hit enemies plays well with dual dmg auras (and burn)

Plant/Savage is always a good start especially coming from a melee comfort zone. takes a bit to get used to my holds are my armor mentality,which leads directly into 'I NEED PERMA DOM!" also the DOM version of savage leap doesnt do any dmg, but its on a super short cooldown! unlimited combat teleport as long as you have enemies to target and port too that is fast and aggressive playstyle.

"EVIL triumphs when good men(people) do NOTHING!" for the vast majority of mouth breathers, they are blissfully unaware(read:ignorant) how much damage it could cause from them making SUPERMAN or WOLVERINE to play here. for others,they do it with malicious intent.they just want to watch the world burn --this is MY WORLD too do not forget what it was like NOT BE ABLE TO PLAY THIS GAME and report ALL HERESY to your local Inquisitor (report to GMs)